Overview of National Research Council Toxicity Testing Strategy

Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy

“Advances in molecular biology, biotechnology, and other fields are paving the way for major improvements in how scientists evaluate the health risks posed by potentially toxic chemicals found at low levels in the environment. These advances would make toxicity testing quicker, less expensive, and more directly relevant to human exposures. They could also reduce the need for animal testing by substituting more laboratory tests based on human cells. This National Research Council report creates a far-reaching vision for the future of toxicity testing.” (NRC, 2007)

When EPA recognized the need for a comprehensive review of current toxicity testing approaches, we requested that the National Research Council (NRC) conduct such a review and propose a long range vision and strategy for toxicity testing that incorporates emerging methods and technologies. The National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Science published a bold, new vision of toxicology in the 21st century in 2007 in the report “Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and A Strategy”. Exit

The NRC report points out that the recommendations will require a substantial commitment of resources, the involvement of multiple organizations in government, academia, industry, and the public, and will take time (10-20 years) to achieve.

The Pesticide Program strategic direction for the Integrated Approach to Testing and Assessment is consistent with the Agency-wide “Strategic Plan for Evaluating the Toxicity of Chemicals”. This strategy will serve as a blue print for implementing the 2007 NAS recommendations on Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century.